Side Effects of Malaria Tablets

Malaria is a serious medical condition caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Malaria is no longer a problem in areas of the world where climates are temperate, but it is still prevalent in African, Asian, Middle Eastern and South and Central American countries with tropical and subtropical climates. Between 350 and 500 million people contract malaria each year, and more than 1 million people a year die of the condition. People traveling to areas where malaria is prevalent can take one of several antimalaria medicines to help prevent contracting the illness.

Doxycycline

• People taking doxycycline to prevent malaria include increased sensitivity to sunlight, mild nausea and vomiting and loss of appetite. None is cause for concern, but people taking doxycycline may want to take extra precautions when exposed to sunlight.

Chloroquine

• People taking chloroquine may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach cramps, mild headaches, a feeling of experiencing a whirling motion, dizziness and clumsiness. None of these is cause for concern. However, because of the potential for dizziness people taking chloroquine should be careful when driving or performing other tasks requiring focus until they know how it will affect them.

Malarone

• Among the known side effects of the anti-malaria drug Malarone are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, mouth sores, a cough, headaches, dizziness and weakness. None of the side effects are cause for concern, but Malarone users should be careful performing tasks requiring focus and concentration until they know how it will affect them.

Hydroxychloroquine

• People taking hydroxychloroquine may experience the following mild side effects: nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headaches and dizziness. None of these is cause for concern. People taking hydroxychloroquine should be careful when driving or performing other tasks requiring focus until they know how it will affect them.

Primaquine

• Primaquine can cause some mild side effects in some of the people who take it. The side effects include nausea, vomiting, an upset stomach and stomach cramps. None of these is cause for concern.

Mefloquine

• Some people taking Mefloquine to prevent malaria will develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, insomnia, fatigue or weakness, a fever, lightheadedness, strange dreams and muscle aches. None of these is cause for concern, but because Mefloquine can cause dizziness, drowsiness and lightheadedness users should use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring concentration until they know how it will affect them.